British Airways have fallen into a racism row after an Indian family were ordered of a flight in London because their three-year-old son was crying.
AP Patak claims a BA crew member shouted at his son and used ‘racist remarks’, before ordering them and another Indian family sat behind them off the plane.
The incident allegedly happened on July 23 shortly before take-off at London City Airport on a flight destined for Berlin.
Mr Patak, who works for the Indian government, has since complained to Indian Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu and outlined what he called ‘humiliation and racial behaviour’ in a fiery letter.
Mr Patak claims his son had become uncomfortable and started crying after the seatbelt had been fastened, and his wife then picked him up despite the sign being on.
He writes: ‘My son felt uncomfortable and started crying. My wife managed to comfort him by taking him in her arms.
‘A male crew member approached us and started shouting, scolded my son to go to his seat. My son got terrified and started crying even more.’
‘Another Indian family sitting behind us offered the child some biscuits to console him and my wife again put the boy on his designated seat and fastened the seat belt even though he kept on crying. The aircraft then started taxiing to the runway.’
The same crew member returned and shouted at my son that “you bloody keep quiet otherwise you will be thrown out of the window” and we would be offloaded. We were petrified.’
Mr Patak claims the plane then returned to the terminal and security personnel were called to remove the family and the family in the row behind them from the aircraft.
‘I would like to reiterate and emphasise that the said crew member made racist remarks and used hatred words like “bloody” about the Indians which is highly undesirable and contumacious to the respect of myself and my nation,’ Mr Patak added.
A British Airways spokesperson said: ‘It is a safety requirement for all airlines that passengers are seated and have their seatbelt fastened for take-off.
‘We take such claims like this extremely seriously and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind.
‘We are investigating the complaint and will liaise with our customer.’
